Manufactured and Synthetic Fibers

Question 1

Rayon

Answer 1

- First manufactured fiber 
Characteristics 
      - low elastic recovery 
      - high comfort 
      - absorbant 
      - low heat retention 
      - low resiliency and dimensional stability 
      - shrink unless resin-treated

Question 2

Lyocell

Answer 2

• manufactured fiber composed of solvent-spun cellulose
• is more like cotton than any other manufactured fiber
  Characteristics
  
  • high strength
  • comfortable hand
  • moderate resiliency
  • good dimensional stability
  • machine wash on gentle

Question 3

Acetate

Answer 3

• manufactured fiber
• first heat sensitive fiber (will melt)
  Characteristics
  
  • low strength
  • very low absorbency
  • poor heat retention
  • poor resiliency and wrinkles
  • used in linings for coats and jackets

Question 4

Olefin

Answer 4

- fastest growing fiber in the world 
Trade Names
    - Polypropylene
    - Polyethylene
Characteristics 
    - difficult to dye 
    - lightest of all textile fibers (will float) 
    - extremely heat sensitive 
    - excellent wicking abilities

Question 5

Acrylic

Answer 5

• “warmth without weight” –> wool substitute
• hypoallergenic
• machine washable
  Trade Names
  
  • Cresian
  • BioFresh
  • MicroSupreme
  • Weatherbioc
    Characteristics
  • moderate durability, comfort, and appearance retention

Question 6

Modacrylic

Answer 6

• first inherently flame retardant synthetic fibers
• difficult to ignite
• self extinguishing
• used in protective clothing, robes, upholstery, fake furs

Question 7

Polyester

Answer 7

• Most widely used synthetic, blends well
• “workhorse”
• Trade name: Dacron
  Characteristics
  
  • resilient
  • dimensional stability
  • sunlight resistant
  • durable, abrasion resistant
  • aesthetics superior to nylon

Question 8

Nylon

Answer 8

• polyamides
• “color scavenger”
• most absorbant synthetic fiber
• Trade names: silky touch, Supplex, Microsupplex, Tactel
• Can be harmed by UV rays
  Characteristics
  
  • high dimensional stability
  • excellent elastic recovery
  • excellent abrasion resistance
  • good water based stain resistance
  • poor oil used stain resistance
  • poor moisture absorbency